Daniel Lim
Three experts from Jane Goodall Institute Singapore (JGIS) are in Brunei to hold briefings on monkey guarding on an invitation from Panaga School.
A session was held yesterday at the school’s Rampayoh Campus with participation from volunteers of different backgrounds.
Principal Cindy bin Tahal said the programme is an initiative to raise awareness on how to deal with monkeys intruding on human territories, which happens often in Panaga and other areas in the Sultanate.
One of the goals of the programme is to set invisible yet effective boundaries between monkeys and humans to ensure comfortable co-existence.
Cindy said the experts – Monkey Guards – have been invited to educate volunteers with knowledge which could be passed on to the wider community.
She said the programme may expand as several agencies have expressed interest in monkey guarding.
The first briefings saw volunteers in question and answer sessions and sharing experience of monkey encounters.
The Monkey Guards also scouted Panaga area to observe monkey behaviours to have a better understanding of the situation in the country.
The week-long programme will continue with more talks and practical with volunteers patrolling Panaga area with the experts.
There will also be a community engagement titled ‘Living in harmony with wildlife, long-tailed macaques’ today from 5pm to 7pm at the Panaga Club, open to the public.
